Being born part of the baby boomer generation after World War
II, I grew up watching weterns on TV and one of my favorites was "Gunsmoke. "
Although considered an adult western, I enjoyed it because it had a good cast,
good directing, and great scripts. Let's say I got tired of TV cowboy heroes
whose hats never fell off during a fight, whose simplistic plots were often
overshadowed by their "Wonder" horses with exotic names, and their side-kicks
who were often relegated as subservient buffoons or not too bright ("What we do
now, Kemo Saby?"). "Gunsmoke" was not your typcal "shoot-em'-up" horse operas
that gutted TV screens in the 50's. "Gunsmoke" was different. They dealt more
with character studies--real people in real (no, not reel--real!) situations of
everyday life that we can often relate to in our own lives. Although
occasionally you had your shoot-outs, it was basically the character involvement
that made this series a gem and allowed it to remain a hit for 20 years. Still a
record, and will probably never be equaled. I have collected many of the
episodes on videocassette, and now, as a grandfather, my grandchildren watch
them with me. Great series! And it will continue to delight and entertain newer
generations for many years to come.
--Cano
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